Empower a First-Generation College Student

The 2025/2026 academic term has commenced, and we are proud to announce that 1,600 scholars are receiving scholarships made possible through the generosity of our donors. This support is vital in addressing the growing global concern of school dropout in higher education, which has been consistently linked to long-term socioeconomic disadvantages such as youth poverty, limited career opportunities, and social exclusion. 

For Türkiye, the issue is particularly urgent given the country’s young population, where this could either drive economic growth or, without sufficient investment in education, lead to a demographic crisis.According to the 2023–2024 data of the Higher Education Quality Council of Türkiye (YÖKAK), higher education enrollment has reached seven million overall, including four million in formal education programs. However, dropout rates have also increased sharply, from 2.7% in the 2012–2013 academic year to 17% in 2023–2024.

Economic disadvantage plays a central role in perpetuating dropout rates, creating structural barriers that limit access to and success in educational settings. Students from lower-income backgrounds often face challenges such as inadequate educational resources, the necessity of working while studying, and limited social capital, all of which hinder academic performance and persistence. Addressing these inequalities through scholarships and support programs is essential to ensure that higher education fulfills its role as a driver of social and economic progress.

We sincerely thank you for continuing to stand with us in supporting education during the 2025/2026 academic term.